Fog creeps in
712 Words
*Raphael*
I'm standing at the helm, gripping the wheel so tight my hands are starting to throb and my knuckles are turning white.
Walking away from her without tasting those tantalizing red lips was one of the toughest things I have ever done. I can still feel the softness of her cheek against my knuckles, the pouting curve of her lip under my thumb, the intoxicating scent of her...
I can hear her breath hitching, see her eyes slowly closing...
Just one kiss. That was the price I set. What a fool I am. I have never struck a deal where I ended up on the losing side before. I should have demanded a daily kiss, one for every day the journey will take. But no, I settled for one for the entire journey. I need to make her crave it so much that she will willingly offer me more.
The salty sea air fills my nostrils as the men labor on the deck. The rhythmic creak of ropes and pulleys, the muffled thud of heavy boots against wooden planks, and the occasional shout of orders weave the soundscape of our voyage.
The deck beneath me sways gently, matching the rhythm of the waves. The constant hum of the wind and the distant crash of the sea against our vessel remind me of the vast, empty ocean ahead. As we head out to sea, a blend of anticipation, excitement, and a hint of fear engulfs me. It is good to be back.
As the wooden ship rocks gently beneath me, nightfall casting long shadows over the deck, I can't help but let my thoughts drift back to Anne.
The thought of our first kiss still lingers, a moment I will need to find the right time to claim, because the unwritten rule is clear - the next one awaits her initiation.
There is an underlying urgency to my courtship, as if it's a race against time. I know I must claim my payment kiss before we reach the dark lands.
The thought of her visiting her fiancé stirs a bittersweet pang in my heart. I fear that once she meets him again, her love for him will be rekindled, causing her to see any kisses with me as mere transactions.
I find myself hoping for the whimsical mercy of the sea winds. If fortune favors me, they may die down and delay our arrival. The idea of making a detour around the southern isles, crossing the vast dragon Ocean and heading towards the tropical islands there, suddenly seems tempting.
A daring thought crosses my mind - to persuade her to adopt the local customs, to see her wearing less, much less clothing. A roguish grin plays upon my lips at the image.
She could be wrapped in minimal cloth right now, cozily tucked in my bed. The night feels full of possibilities and I let myself bask in their warmth, under the starlit sky, aboard my grand sail ship.
The scent of her will no doubt lingers in my sheets, filling my cabin as a reminder of her presence after she is gone.
No woman has ever stepped foot into my domain before, but I have taken the risk of bringing two of them along. Some of my men think I'm mad, but their grumbles are silenced by the generous payment they receive. Those that could not be silenced has stayed behind.
The unyielding fog coils around me, just as my desires coil around her… intense and all-consuming. I find myself wondering how far she will let me take the kiss. Deep down, I know it won't be as far as I desire. But that won't stop me from trying. I will go as far as she allows me.
A thought crosses my mind… will her fiancé be joining us on the journey? It's a disappointing notion that hadn't occurred to me earlier.
However, it doesn't matter. I have no interest in extending my time with her beyond this voyage. The monotony of consistency bores me. I crave new adventures, fresh encounters, and constant challenges. Yet, conquering her would be the pinnacle of my triumphs.
I will tantalize her with that kiss, teasing her relentlessly until she willingly surrenders everything to me.
- Writer
